How to get to Chester from Cheltenham

Fri 16 Oct
+ Add return
Travel by coach, train with
CrossCountry
National Express
Avanti West Coast
FlixBus
Great Western Railway
1,000+ more
CrossCountry
National Express
Avanti West Coast
FlixBus
Great Western Railway
1,000+ more
QR-Code
Scan to get our free app
Use our app to get live travel updates and book mobile tickets for trains, buses, flights, and ferries.
App Store
rate4.9
42K ratings
Google Play
rate4.6
136K reviews

Travel Information

Compare coach and train for Cheltenham to Chester

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cheltenham to Chester among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £18 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 34m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £18, while a train costs an average of £60.

Distance: 154 km

Compare train with

Most popular
Train
Coach
Driving

£60

Average Price

£18

Average Price

Cheapest

£30

Average Price

(fuel + tolls)

2h 34m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 4m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 36m

Average total duration

3h 6m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

2h 39m

Average total duration

(door-to-door)

CrossCountry

Most popular train company

National Express

Most popular bus company

Your own car or car rental

Direct Options

Direct Options

Direct Options

The cheapest way to travel from Cheltenham to Chester is a coach with an average price of £18.

This is compared to other travel options from Cheltenham to Chester:

A coach is £42 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cheltenham to Chester costing on average £60.

The fastest way to travel from Cheltenham to Chester is by train with an average journey time of 2h 34m.

Other travel options to Chester take longer:

Coach takes on average 3h 36m.

It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Cheltenham and Chester including taking a coach and train.
Take the train. It's meaningfully faster than driving, and the time saved usually justifies the price.

You'll arrive about 35m sooner (2h 4m by train vs 2h 39m by car). Tickets start at around £60 compared to roughly £30 in fuel and tolls — so you're paying a bit more, but getting hours of your day back, a city-centre arrival, and the freedom to work or relax instead of drive.

Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), want to stop along the way, or need a car once you arrive.

Travel options
from Cheltenham to Chester

How to get to Chester from Cheltenham by train, bus, flight or ferry.

Our recommendation

bus

The best way to travel from Cheltenham to Chester is by taking a coach because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

  • National Express
    22:406h30
    Cheltenham
    5:10Chester
    £291One-way
    0 changes

Cheapest

  • National Express
    22:406h30
    Cheltenham
    5:10Chester
    £291One-way
    0 changes

Fastest

  • National Express
    22:406h30
    Cheltenham
    5:10Chester
    £291One-way
    0 changes

Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .

Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, coaches, flights and ferries

Compare coach and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.

Fri
16 Oct
Sat
17 Oct
Sun
18 Oct
Mon
19 Oct
Tue
20 Oct
Wed
21 Oct
Thu
22 Oct

Best day trips from Chester by train

The most popular day trips by train from Chester are Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Shrewsbury and Leeds. Find out what you can do in these day trip destinations and how to book your train from Chester on Omio.

A view of Liverpool

Day trip from Chester to Liverpool by train

Why visit Liverpool for the day?

Liverpool is known for The Beatles, football and a waterfront shaped by its maritime past. Its grand docks, museums and lively city centre give it a proud, creative character.

A view of Manchester

Day trip from Chester to Manchester by train

Why visit Manchester for the day?

Manchester is known for its industrial heritage, influential music and deep football culture. Red-brick canalside areas, major museums and lively nightlife give it an energetic northern character.

A view of Birmingham

Day trip from Chester to Birmingham by train

Why visit Birmingham for the day?

Birmingham is known for its industrial past, canal network and diverse food scene. It combines major shopping and cultural landmarks with lively neighbourhoods shaped by manufacturing, music and modern city life.

A view of Shrewsbury

Day trip from Chester to Shrewsbury by train

Why visit Shrewsbury for the day?

Shrewsbury is a historic market town in Shropshire, known for medieval streets, timber-framed buildings and the River Severn. Birthplace of Charles Darwin, it has a compact centre with independent shops, old churches and a calm traditional feel.

A view of Leeds

Day trip from Chester to Leeds by train

Why visit Leeds for the day?

Leeds is a major West Yorkshire city known for Victorian arcades, shopping and a lively music scene. Its industrial heritage, regenerated waterfront and large student population give it an energetic but down-to-earth character.

More than 1,000 travel companies trust us to sell their tickets all in one place.

Trenitalia
Easyjet
Deutsche Bahn
SNCF

FAQs: Cheltenham to Chester

Travel to Chester easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Cheltenham to Chester.

FAQs
There are 2 options to travel between Cheltenham and Chester including taking a coach and train.
The cheapest way to travel from Cheltenham to Chester is a coach with an average price of £18.

This is compared to other travel options from Cheltenham to Chester:

A coach is £42 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cheltenham to Chester costing on average £60.

The fastest way to travel from Cheltenham to Chester is by train with an average journey time of 2h 34m.

Other travel options to Chester take longer:

Coach takes on average 3h 36m.

The Cheltenham to Chester distance is approximately 154 km.
The average frequency per day from Cheltenham to Chester is:
  • Around 5 trains per day.
  • Around 2 coaches per day.

However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Cheltenham and Chester as scheduled services by coach and train can vary by season or day of the week.

These are the most popular departure and arrival points from Cheltenham to Chester:
  • Trains mostly depart from Cheltenham Spa (CNM) and arrive in Chester station (CTR).
  • Coaches mostly depart from Cheltenham, Royal Well Bus Station and arrive in Chester, Gorse Stacks (Bus Interchange).
If finding a good deal is your main consideration for your trip from Cheltenham to Chester, then we'll help you find the best value travel companies for you:
  • Travel with CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast to go to Chester by train.
  • Travel with National Express, FlixBus to go to Chester by coach.
Omio customers who travel from Cheltenham to Chester often also extend their vacation to go to London, London Euston (EUS), Manchester, Liverpool, Manchester Piccadilly (MAN). Omio can help you plan your trip by finding the best connections between Chester and these popular destinations at a great price.
To get from Cheltenham to Chester, you can choose from several travel options including coach and train.
In Chester, you can visit Chester Zoo, one of the UK's largest zoos, or explore the Grosvenor Museum for local history and art. Enjoy a walk or boat trip along the River Dee, or experience cultural offerings at Storyhouse. The Cheshire Military Museum provides insights into military history. Don't miss the stunning Chester Cathedral, the historical Chester Roman Amphitheatre, and the well-preserved Chester City Walls for panoramic views. The Eastgate Clock and The Rows offer iconic sights and unique shopping experiences.
A stay of two to three days in Chester is typically sufficient to explore its historic sites, such as Chester Cathedral, the Roman walls, and the Rows, while also enjoying local dining and shopping experiences.

Travelling from Cheltenham to Chester: related information

Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

HomeTravelTravel to United KingdomTravel to ChesterHow to get to Chester from Cheltenham

The Omio App Makes Travel Planning Easy

We’ll get you where you want to go. From live train updates to mobile tickets, our innovative app is the ideal way to plan and keep track of your travel.

ios-badge
android-badge
Hand With Phone